THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed some P506,825 worth of livelihood starter kits to 26 “Kasambahays” or household workers in Zamboanga Peninsula.
DOLE regional director Ofelia Domingo said the distribution of the livelihood starter kits is aimed to augment and provide alternative income to the household workers as well as to their family members.
Domingo said with the livelihood starter kits, they will not solely depend on their salaries since they could have an alternative income.
She said the beneficiaries of the livelihood starter kits, which were distributed on Tuesday, are those who joined the Miss Kasambeshie beauty pageant in May, this year.
The beauty pageant was aimed to drum up awareness about Republic Act No. 10361 or the Kasambahay Law that provides protection and welfare to domestic workers.
Of the 26 Kasambeshies, 12 received cooking and baking utensils, six for sari-sari store, five for rice retail, and three dressmaking.
Domingo said that each set of the cooking and baking utensils costs P19,619 or for a total of P235,428; the sari-sari store starter kits cost P19,897 each or a total of P119,382; rice retailing at P19,654 each with a total of P98,270; and, dressmaking P17,915 each of a total P53,745.
Mercedita Gaballo, a Zamboangueña and the reigning Miss Kasambeshie, has thanked DOLE on behalf of the beneficiaries for giving them livelihood assistance.
Domingo advised the beneficiaries to put to good use the livelihood starter kits given them.
She said the beneficiaries have also undergone occupational health and safety and simple bookkeeping seminar to empower them on how to manage their livelihood undertakings. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)